- DAE has completed its US$9bn acquisition of Macquarie AirFinance.
- The deal makes DAE the world’s third-largest aircraft lessor.
- The combined portfolio includes approximately 1,000 aircraft.
- The fleet is leased to over 175 airlines in 75 countries.
- DAE holds future commitments for roughly 150 additional aircraft.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise has officially completed its acquisition of 100 pc of the outstanding share capital of Macquarie AirFinance Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries. The transaction closed on 29 July 2026, cementing an approximate final enterprise value of US$9.0bn. The completed deal includes adjustments for shifts in the MAF aircraft fleet that occurred between the initial agreement announcement in February 2026 and the final closing date.
The completion of this landmark transaction shifts the balance of power in global aviation finance, cementing DAE’s position as the third-largest aircraft lessor globally by both total fleet value and the number of owned and managed aircraft. The combination expands DAE’s portfolio to approximately 1,000 owned, managed, and committed aircraft. DAE’s fleet is now actively leased to more than 175 airline customers across 75 countries. Alongside the existing fleet, DAE holds future commitments to acquire roughly 150 additional aircraft from manufacturers like Boeing, Airbus, and ATR, with delivery slots extending well into the 2030s.
Chief Executive Officer Firoz Tarapore stated this deal establishes DAE as a leader in flexible, full-lifecycle fleet solutions. The expanded scale integrates with DAE’s other capital strategies, including strategic manufacturing relationships and alternative financing vehicles. The acquisition deepens direct lines with Boeing and Airbus during a time of tight global aircraft supply chains and works alongside DAE’s recently established co-investment and fleet financing partnerships with Blackstone and Neuberger.
Firoz Tarapore shared: “This deal establishes DAE as a leader in flexible, full-lifecycle fleet solutions.”
